Photo of Nick Darnell as Universal Studios' the Grinch
Facebook, screengrab

Mild-mannered comedian and actor Nick Darnell signed off as the Grinch after stealing Christmas and the Internet over the holidays.

Nick, a longtime Grinch impersonator, became the hottest attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood in California this Christmas.

Fans visiting Universal Studios Hollywood have never seen a twerking Grinch before. Nick does it all with lots of humor.

“[Santa]’s supposed to be mysterious and unknown,” said Nick’s fiancee JadaPaige. “He’s supposed to just come in the night and you’re never supposed to see him.”

Fans lined up to see Nick’s Grinch at Universal Studios. His videos went viral and he became an overnight sensation on X and Instagram.

Nick draws inspiration from comedic actor Jim Carrey (“In Living Color”), who played the Grinch in Universal Studios 2000 live-action film.

“I fell in love with Jim Carrey for the physicalness of it all,” he said. “I’m the chocolate Jim Carrey.”

“When I was younger, I looked at him as a godly figure. I was like, ‘There’s no way I would reach that level.’ Then, as I got older and just kept on impressions. It did feel like a calling. So I would coin the phrase: ‘I’m the chocolate Jim Carrey.’ Like, I am coming.”

“I grew up obsessed with Santa Claus — I did not grow up obsessed with the Grinch,” Nick explained. “I was the kid waiting up in the middle of the night, peeking, wondering if Santa’s down there. A lot of modern day kids aren’t having that journey.”

“Santa is looked at more like a godly figure, while the Grinch is a more everyday man,” Nick continues. “The world is so sinister and negative. [The Grinch] tells you how it is, rather than telling you everything is going to be fine.”

The God-fearing actor doesn’t want to be typecast as the evil Grinch. That’s why he made the Grinch funny and lovable.

Photo of Nick Darnell as Universal Studios' the Grinch
Screengrab

“I do not ever want to represent a very negative person,” he said. “Even Chris Tucker has crazy characters… I try not to curse… I try not to wear anything too revealing. I just want to be a clean performer.”

Grinch costumes sold out in stores across Los Angeles. The furry green character accounted for nearly half of the Christmas rentals at Etoile Costume & Party Center in Tarzana, California.

“It’s about equal to Santa,” one employee said. “Maybe 40% Grinch and the rest Santa.

Watch compilation videos of Nick Darnell’s Grinch below.